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Clare Middle School News - Autumn Term
It has been a busy and exciting term at Clare Middle School. You may have caught sight of several groups of pupils in and around the town just before half term.
Activities days give the pupils an opportunity to experience a broader curriculum and often benefit the community at the same time. This year pupils were able to choose from a range of activities which included, clearing areas of the Country Park, designing and making model aeroplanes, baking Christmas cakes, cycling and painting on silk to make a banner for the Ancient House Museum.
Under the supervision of Mr Laws at the Country Park over 60 pupils took up the challenge of clearing undergrowth and tidying hedges. The work was demanding but also rewarding, especially with the final activity including a large bonfire.
The Cycling activities gave some pupils the opportunity to train for their Cycling Proficiency Award. Those already with the award were able to test their endurance with two days of cross country riding in and around the local villages.
The Technology Department were also busy, not only making mini Christmas cakes, but designing beautiful iced decorations to really display a professional finish. Perhaps some of you will get to taste the final product over the festive season!
A further outcome of activities week will be a display in the Ancient House Museum in the New Year. Over forty pupils took sketches of Clare to develop as silk paintings. These will be displayed as a wall hanging for the museum. The work will be joined with work already completed by some of the older members of the community. We do hope that local residents and tourists will enjoy viewing the final work.
The National Curriculum has also provided pupils with insights into the life of others. The Humanities Department has already brought to life many aspects of history with visits to Oxburgh Hall, Mountfitchet Castle and Colchester Castle. Perhaps the most exciting this term was the visit to Colne Valley Railway Victorian Extravaganza for Year 5. The pupils accompanied by staff and parents spent the day in costume. They were able to meet Queen Victoria on the train, take part in a Victorian Music Hall and a Punch and Judy Show. Visits like this are invaluable, greatly enhancing classroom work.
On the sports field, pupils continue to perform well, several fixtures have already been played this year. Our Year 7 football team are doing particularly well in the County Cup. Two pupils from Year 8, James Krause and Richard Heller, have been successful in being selected to play for West Suffolk. After Christmas further matches are anticipated in Basketball, Rugby and Netball - do come and support the teams if you can. I would like to leave you with news from the Music Department, in just a few short weeks our new Head of Music, Mr Crooke has formed an orchestra of 40 pupils. They are practising for the Christmas Concert on December 20th and the Clare Community Carols on 16th December.
Mr Crooke is a specialist viola player, this has inspired 20 pupils to learn the violin. They are now working hard and performing pieces in Assemblies. The string group has also benefited from some coaching from Marianne Olyver, who is a professional musician. Further sessions are planned for summer 2000.Thank you to all our pupils, parents and volunteers without whom all these opportunities might not be possible.
Date : 01-12-1999
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